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Federal Judge Overturns Mississippi's Ban on Same-Sex Marriage

Posted
by Paul Boger on

Mississippi's ban on same sex marriage has been overturned by a federal judge.

In a decision released late last night, U-S District Judge Carlton Reeves struck down Mississippi's 2004 constitutional amendment that defines marriage as being between one man and one woman. It also overturned a 1997 law that banned marriages between same sex couples.

Jasmine Beach-Ferrara is the Executive Director of the Campaign for Southern Equality -- one of the plaintiffs in the suit challenging Mississippi's Ban.

"It's hard to overstate what this ruling means in terms of ushering in a new day in Mississippi in which gay and lesbian families will be treated equally under the law and treated as full citizens in Mississippi." says Beach-Ferrara.

In his 71-page decision, Reeves wrote:

"Allowing same-sex couples to marry presents no harm to anyone."

He went on to say, "At the very least, it has the potential to support families and provide stability for children."

While the decision opens the gates for same sex marriages in Mississippi, Reeves decision came with a two week injunction in order to give state officials time to appeal.

State attorneys have already said they will ask the 5th U-S Circuit Court of Appeals to block Reeves' order.